Need to know how to store a car for winter? Before you put any vehicle—whether it’s a classic car or a modern model—into winter storage, it’s important to prepare it properly. Follow these car winterization tips to help protect your vehicle from cold-weather damage.
Gather Vehicle Winterization Supplies
As with winterizing a motorcycle, boat, jet ski, or RV, the first step in winterizing a car for storage is to gather the necessary supplies. There’s a good chance you already have most of these supplies for general cleaning and car maintenance. For those you don’t have, you can find them at your local gas station or auto shop!
- Cleaning supplies
- Vacuum
- Car wax
- Tire pressure gauge
- Fuel & fuel stabilizer
- Coolant/antifreeze
- Oil & filter
- Trickle charger
- Materials to block openings & deter pests
- Wheel chocks
- Car cover
Clean Your Car Inside & Out
If you’re not sure how to winterize a vehicle for storage, start with cleaning it! When cleaning your car’s interior for winter storage, do the following:
- Remove all trash.
- Take out anything that could freeze.
- Vacuum crumbs that could attract pests.
- Thoroughly wash and dry your floor mats, seat covers, or any upholstery.
- Make sure all fabric is completely dry before storing to avoid freezing or molding.
- Wash the exterior, including the undercarriage, to remove dirt or salt.
- Apply a coat of fresh wax.
Fill Tires
Filling your tires before placing your vehicle in storage is an important step for winterizing a car, since underinflated tires can develop flat spots or uneven wear while sitting idle, making driving unsafe when spring arrives. Fill your tires to the correct PSI before storing—slightly higher than usual is fine, but never exceed the maximum PSI, as this can cause damage. You can usually find the correct PSI range in your owner’s manual, on your tires, or on the driver’s side door frame. For long-term car storage, another option is to remove and store the tires separately.
Top Off the Gas
Filling up on gas before storing a car for winter is an essential step, as it helps prevent condensation from forming inside your fuel tank. Moisture can lead to corrosion, clogging, or even freezing, potentially damaging other components and resulting in expensive repairs. Adding a fuel stabilizer is also important, as it prevents gasoline from breaking down over time and helps ensure your engine runs smoothly when it’s time to start your car again.
To prep your car for winter storage:
- Fill your gas tank and add a fuel stabilizer if you plan on storing it for more than 30 days.
- Add the proper amount of stabilizer (around 1 ounce per 2.5 gallons of gas).
- Run your engine for a bit to mix the components.
Refresh the Coolant
Even if your car will be in storage rather than driven, it still needs proper coolant to protect the engine. Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, and the correct ratio depends on where your vehicle will be stored. For indoor winter storage, a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water is usually sufficient, while vehicles stored outdoors in colder climates may require a stronger mixture—around 70% antifreeze to 30% water—to prevent freezing.
Change Your Oil
Since oil can deteriorate over time, the general rule of thumb is to change your oil every six to twelve months. Getting fresh oil before you put your car in vehicle storage can help protect your engine over the winter months and make sure it’s ready to drive again when the weather warms up.
Protect the Car Battery
Before storing your car, clean the battery terminals to remove any corrosion and help maintain a solid connection later. There are two main options for your battery when winterizing your vehicle for storage. If you’re able to access your car throughout the winter, you can leave the battery connected and run it every few weeks. For long-term storage where frequent access isn’t possible, disconnect the battery and store it properly in a safe, dry, above-ground location—ideally connected to a trickle charger to maintain its charge.
Take Steps to Prevent Pests
Exposed openings like air intake boxes and exhaust pipes can become entry points for rodents, insects, and other pests while your car is in winter storage. To keep your car pest-free, block off these openings when winterizing. You can use towels, cloths, steel wool, or other safe coverings—and consider putting mothballs or repellents inside and around the vehicle to further discourage pests. Be sure to remove all coverings before starting the car again.
Chock Your Wheels
When storing a car, use wheel chocks to keep it in place and reduce strain on the parking brake. These wedge-shaped blocks should be placed snugly against your tires to prevent rolling. You can position them under the front or back tires—or both, for extra safety—especially if your car is parked on an incline.
Get a Vehicle Cover
Whether you’re winterizing your car for indoor or outdoor storage, a car cover is a great way to help keep your vehicle dry, clean, and free of dust. If you’re storing your vehicle outside, make sure to invest in a winter-safe, waterproof cover that won’t trap in moisture and accelerate rust and erosion. If possible, it’s also a good idea to clear off snow and ice every once in a while as an additional measure.
Consider Self Storage
If you don’t have garage space for winter car storage, you can rent indoor, outdoor, or covered vehicle storage at a self storage facility. Some vehicle storage units even offer climate control as another layer of protection against harsh winter weather. Many storage facilities provide month-to-month rental agreements and use security features like video surveillance and gated access to help keep your car safe and give you peace of mind.
Run the Engine Occasionally
How long can a car sit without being driven? That depends on the make and model of your car, as well as whether it’s stored indoors or outdoors. Ideally, you should start your car every few weeks and allow the engine to run until it fully heats up to ensure everything is in working order. Be sure all pest-prevention coverings, such as towels, cloths, or steel wool, are removed from air intakes and exhaust pipes before starting the engine—and if you’re running the car in a garage or drive-up storage unit, keep the door open to avoid toxic carbon monoxide build-up.
Check Everything Before Driving
Thoroughly inspect your vehicle for rot or damage before you take it out of storage for the season. Use these steps to get your car back on the road after winterization:
- Remove any covers or plugs you installed.
- Inspect the interior and exterior before starting the engine.
- Allow your car engine to fully warm up.
- Check your brakes and begin driving slowly.
Depending on the length your car has been sitting without being driven, give it an ample amount of time to idle before you head back out on the open road.
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Find Winter Car Storage in a City Near You
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- Car Storage in Sparks, NV
- Car Storage in Springfield, OH
- Car Storage in Henderson, CO
- Car Storage in Palmetto Bay, FL
- Car Storage in Bloomington, IL
- Car Storage in Egg Harbor City, NJ
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